Take one look at instagram and you will realise that Bali is healthy cafe central. Quite frankly, it can be overwhelming. Where should I go? What should I eat? Where even are they?! To make it easier for you, here is a breakdown of my top cafe picks from Bali, focusing on the key Southern regions of Seminyak and Canggu.
Shelter Cafe, Seminyak
This cafe is an absolute gem. It is hidden down a backstreet, so takes a little finding but I promise it is worth it. Downstairs there is a Nalu Bowls bar where you can get a takeaway smoothie bowl, but upstairs is where the real action happens. They have a gorgeous balcony overlooking the local area with is decorated with unique quotes and authentic cosy furniture. Their menu is extensive and delicious. I tried their coffee, banana and date smoothie (an amazing morning pick me up) and the quinoa, eggs and feta breakfast bowl (which was super flavoursome and fresh). The service was fast and the staff were super friendly. The vibe was relaxed and fun, which made me want to return again and again.
The Spicy Coconut, Seminyak
The Spicy Coconut is a vegan cafe located in Seminyak. It has cute (and very instagram-able) decor with rustic wooden tables and chairs and a cosy corner full of comfortable sofas and colourful cushions. The menu ranges from smoothie bowls to chickpea burgers, with a larger selection of breakfasts than lunches. I tucked into their banana and date pancakes with salted caramel sauce, which were absolutely incredible, if a little small! I could have eaten them twice!
Watercress Cafe, Seminyak
Just down the road from Spicy Coconut is Watercress Cafe. It is hidden behind a huge bush so can be tough to see from the street. This was one of my favourite spots due to the relaxed atmosphere, great service and fast wifi; it was an ideal cafe to work in. I had their quinoa breakfast bowl with poached eggs, roasted pumpkin and kale – which was absolutely delicious; while my friend had the acai bowl which was equally as scrummy. Their apple crumble cake is not to be missed. Plus they serve Revolver Espresso coffee which is the best in Bali (in my opinion!).
Betelnut Cafe, Canggu
These guys have an extensive menu… and then an additional one just for healthy Mexican food. I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that. They have a cosy downstairs cafe area as well as a more breezy upstairs balcony which overlooks a nearby rice field. The service is super fast and the food is incredible. I loved their cashew, beetroot, pumpkin, feta and chicken salad which I had with a fresh apple and ginger juice. I also shared a banana nutella cheesecake for dessert which was out of this world; and fairly light compared to the usual dense “healthy” desserts found in Bali.
Ruko Cafe, Canggu
This is a lesser-known cafe and as a result is little less busy than the others. This means the service is crazy fast! It has great wifi and indoor seating which is perfect for settling down to work; while the outdoor tables are great for watching the world go by. It has a unique menu featuring dishes such as pulled pork eggs benedict through to thick american-style stacks of pancakes. I tucked into the pitaya bowl and an iced mocha, both of which were super tasty.
Cafe Organic, Seminyak
If there is one “hyped” healthy cafe in Bali… it’s Cafe Organic. Just take one look at their huge instagram profile and you will see why. Their food is the definition of beautiful. Located in central Seminyak, it is easy to get to. Their menu is expansive and they also sell some whole food products as well as a selection of grab and go cakes and treats. You can often queue to get into the cafe so be sure to arrive early in the morning to avoid this. The food is extremely instagram-able and equally as delicious. I enjoyed the Acai Coco bowl which came in a fresh coconut. I even asked them to smash the coconut shell left behind so I could take it away with me as a snack.
Sisterfields, Seminyak
Holy Moley. This place is seriously popular. We went at lunchtime and had to queue for over 20 minutes! The wait was certainly worth it though. They offer all day breakfast food, which is the way to my heart. So I tucked into the classic meal of smashed avocado on toast with feta and poached eggs. Yes, I am a cliche and yes it was damn tasty. I also shared the blueberry pancake topped with pistachio granola with my friends and wow that thing is incredible. It was ridiculously delicious, a must try! The setting was lovely, the service was fast and the staff were friendly. However, do be prepared for more western prices rather than the usual lower costs you get in the other cafes in Bali; which is reflected in the food quality and presentation.
The Shady Shack, Canggu
This was by far one of my favourite cafes of the bunch. It has an awesome menu which can be eaten in or taken away. It ranges from huge colourful salad bowls to super stacked burgers and everything in between. Oh and not forgetting a ridiculous amount of healthy desserts. I tucked into the halloumi salad bowl which was piled up with tonnes of quinoa, greens, cucumber spaghetti and hummus. I also shared a vegan apple bundt cake for dessert which was ridiculously scrumptious. The only downside is that there is no aircon and all the seating is outdoors, which means you get rather sweaty in the Bali heat. The food is worth it though!
Nalu Bowls, Various Locations
Nalu bowls are seriously hyped up on social media, so I just had give them a go. Nalu bowl cafes are attached onto other healthy eateries across Bali, so there is bound to be one close to where you’re staying. They have a small menu of about 5-6 smoothie bowls which come with pre-set toppings. You can add extras and switch up ingredients to your liking. My favourite was the peanut butter one. Good god. It tasted like melting peanut butter. With crunchy granola. And fresh banana slices. It was a little bowl of heaven!
Crate Cafe, Canggu
This cafe defies expectations. When you see it from the outside it looks like a run down shed with a few benches and tables thrown in and a menu drawn on the wall. Don’t let this put you off! They specialise in breakfast and brunch food (my favourite) as well as colourful smoothies; which can be eaten overlooking a nearby rice field. I popped in three times as it was right next to my hotel, and I particularly enjoyed their breakfast greens and their dirty chai. Admittedly, the service is pretty slow and it is so busy that you feel like you have to get in and get out… it definitely isn’t a spot to relax in for a few hours and do some work. However, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is buzzing.
All in all…
The healthy cafe scene in Bali is particularly strong and I loved experiencing it. I haven’t even scratched the surface with this blog post, so don’t be afraid to try any other ones you find on your travels. From the selection I popped into my favourites were The Shady Shack, Watercress and Shelter Cafe. These spots had a laid back vibe which made the delicious food even more enjoyable.
If you want to see these cafes in action then check out my accompanying Bali Cafe Guide video.
Safe travels!
Zanna x
